Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges faced by societies today. It has significant implications on energy, food and water security as well as health and safety for countries and people around the world.

Over the years, the pan-European region has seen an increase in the rate and magnitude of extreme weather conditions. As a result of longer dry periods and more frequent heat waves, countries in the region are increasingly experiencing water stress resulting in lower crop production and increasing wildfires. Storms and floods are also intensifying in both frequency and force, with far reaching consequences for communities across the region.

New types of policies, partnerships and instruments will be needed to scale up present climate change efforts and address this growing challenge.

UNEP supports countries in addressing climate change through four main avenues: adaptation and building resilience to climate change; mitigation and moving towards low carbon societies; reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation; and finance for new models for the green economy.